I do love women's fiction when the middle aged MC finds her way! I find it empowering. The story was super entertaining and full of good, quirky characters. I would like to see Prudence and Alexei at a dueling piano bar!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC

🎹 I’ll start off by saying that I read this book about 3 weeks ago and, as I sit down to write this review, I’m struggling to remember details about the story. This could be because I’ve read at least 10 books since this one, but it could also be because the book just didn’t have a strong impact on me.

🎹 I remember thinking that the female protag – Prudence – was an interesting and unique character. She was a child prodigy, but now, as a much older woman, her life seems to have little purpose. It was interesting to see how fleeting fame can be, despite whatever talents you may have.

🎹 The premise of the dueling pianos reality TV show was interesting.

🎹 There is an ex-husband/blackmail/crazy HOA President storyline that I felt muddled the story a lot. Honestly, I think I’d have preferred the story more if it had just been about Prudence and her transition from bored empty-nester former prodigy to having purpose again. I guess I wanted more women’s fiction and less intrigue.

🎹 The message to never give up on your dreams was prominent.

🎹 Overall, this book wasn’t a stellar read for me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t love it. It is currently averaging 4-stars on Goodreads so if the premise interests you, definitely read it.

Thank you @NetGalley and @randomhouse Ballantine for an eARC of this book, which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

This was the delightful and fun story of a child prodigy and and a young insecure immigrant, who both discovered that believing in yourself and your talent is the ultimate prize in life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this heartening novel with the happily-ever-after ending that actually worked. I will look for more gems from Michelle Hoffman.

Great premise to the story. I was in for about half the book, then I lost steam. Probably because I felt I know where it was going. Recommended to several friends, just not my cup of tea.

I love a story that shares details and backstories that enable me to real identify with the characters and draw me into their world. Michelle Hoffman's The Second Ending really did that for me. If you enjoy a story where you can almost predict what a character is going to do because you know them so well they are real to you, then this is a book for you. As you can guess, this was not just the case for the principle characters, but also for the secondary ones as well. Everything in this book is so well crafted that I felt the tension inside of Prudence as she faces the fact that she has to almost reinvent herself from the child prodigy that she was. This same feeling is true of the Alexei, who was himself a Russian wunderkind and now faces life as a grown up. Both of these characters are human - in all their flawed, nervous, and anxious glory. But for me, this made them real. I rooted for them to find their Second Ending.

Thank you Michelle Hoffman, Random House - Ballantine, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this copy and share my views here!

This book was forgettable. DNF


******************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.*********************

This book reminded me of a Frederik Blackman book. It was light and deep, moving and funny and definitely quirky. It’s a fun read especially if you like this style of story.

Thank you to netgalley for providing me an early release.

The Second Ending is a funny, yet hopeful novel about two musicians who learn that life can have "second endings." Prudence Childs is a 40-something former child star and prodigy, turned jingle-writer, who finds herself lost as her daughters have left her an empty nester. She has always dreamt of becoming a classical musician but doesn't believe that will happen for her at this point in her life. In a crazy turn of events, Alexei Petrov, classical pianist turned TV host, finds himself up against Prudence on his own show!!! Hoffman throws in some other memorable characters as these two search for their second endings. Heavy on musical analogies and verbiage, but what a fun book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about two extraordinarily talented piano players, one a middle-aged former child prodigy, and the other a 22 year old Russian man. Both really need to win a dueling pianos reality TV show (I wish!). While the plot seemed a bit contrived, I loved the quirky characters, the music, and learning about the world of music competitions. The book was fun and heart-warming and a good reminder that it's never too late to take charge of your own life.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free e-ARC of this book

When child prodigy Prudence’s youngest child goes to college, she agrees to compete on a dueling piano show against Alexei because her ex-husband is blackmailing her over a long-buried secret.

This was fine. Solid three star book.

Prudence Childs rose to fame as an extraordinary pianist when she was only a child. The young prodigy had a difficult childhood, which resulted in her running away from her life of performing and made a name for herself creating jingles for commercials. Now as an adult, decisions from her past come back to haunt her, resulting in Prudence agreeing to appear on a dueling piano show on television. Her opponent, Alexei Petrov, is a handsome and gifted musician himself. Both pianists prepare for the competition knowing that it is their chance to prove their worth to their families and create their own futures.

As someone who is not a musician and knows very little about the technical aspects of music, I didn’t always understand all the musical language, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this story. I found it a little slow in the beginning, however, I soon found myself invested and rooting for the characters. Prudence is so unique and is delightful to read about. The characters were so fun and different. The story is told from several points of view, which adds some depth to the tale to hear from other characters’ perspectives. I found the writing of this story to have a unique and quirky feel, like the characters themselves. It was a little on the corny side at times, with many listeners to Prudence’s performances having life-altering realizations as she plays, but in a way it works with this book. It’s probably not for everyone, but I found it to be a light and happy read overall.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House—Ballentine for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this story!

This was a great book about never giving up on your dreams. I enjoyed the multiple points of view that kept the pace moving, and thought some of the plot points felt a bit predictable, I think this is a poignant novel that will surprise many readers with its depth among the humor. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

From the publisher: A former prodigy who refuses to believe her best years are behind her and a young virtuoso searching for his passion both get an unlikely shot at their dreams in this sparkling debut about second chances, unexpected joys, and the miraculous power of music.

I just adored this book! The story is a perfect mix of light humor and quirky characters with undertones that reveal a much deeper meaning. Prudence is a 48 year old child piano prodigy and Alexei is a 22 year old Russian piano prodigy, both with controlling parental figures and a deeply unsatisfying life. The supporting characters - Prudence's husband, estranged ex-husband, even her dog - make the story come to life and give it so much heart (and some of the best laugh-out-loud funny moments). This was a pure joy to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books | Random House Group for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I'm not really sure what I expected out of this book, but I don't think this was it. This book was all about Prudence Childs who used to be a child prodigy and Alexei Petrov who is now one of the best of the best. They are roped into facing off against each other in a musical contest and they both have so much to prove, to themselves and to others.

Honestly, this book was not for me. But that doesn't mean it wasn't well written. The book itself was good and definitely good author's craft. I, personally, just didn't really get into the plot. I found both characters a bit boring and flat. It was as if music was the ONLY thing they had for their personality. I appreciate what Michelle Hoffman was trying to do, but I just think it would have been done better for my tastes.

From the publisher: A former prodigy who refuses to believe her best years are behind her and a young virtuoso searching for his passion both get an unlikely shot at their dreams in this sparkling debut about second chances, unexpected joys, and the miraculous power of music.

I adored this book. I played flute throughout middle and high school but my version of practicing was limited to "when I felt like it" which was not often enough to call my playing adequate, let alone good. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Prudence, a strong character with wit but who has nagging doubts about her music despite her confidence that everyone has something they can do well. The supporting cast is delightful and I'm going to be googling the music mentioned for weeks.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Second Ending. It has all the components I look for in a successful summer read. Humor, a bit of a mystery, quirky characters, family dynamics and a satisfying ending.

This is the story of Prudence, a 48-year old child prodigy pianist, who gave up piano years ago; and Alexei, a 22-year old Russian piano prodigy, with controlling parents and an unsatisfying life. As the result of some very interesting circumstances, they find themselves in a competition show called Alexei Petrov’s Dueling Piano Wars.

The story of how they both got there, as well as the competition itself, is endearing, poignant, and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these two characters. The supporting characters were terrific too.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review.

Prudence was a piano prodigy as a child and exploited by her domineering, mean and abusive grandmother when she just couldn’t take one more moment. She left home and built her own life becoming a successful jingle writer. Then once again life changes in a moment when invited to be on a reality show, her ex-horror of a husband uses the opportunity to blackmail and potentially destroy the life she has created for herself. Her competition is also an incredible talent with plenty of issues of his own. Together we join them on their journey to finding their own happiness that is all about themselves and no one else, taking control other lives and rediscovering their passions. I enjoyed the book, but personally found it could have been shorter. Very wordy and drawn out in parts, but a good story because you can’t help, but really like both Prudence and Alexei and want the best for them.

While I liked the idea behind this book, I had a hard time staying engaged. It was cute, but felt it could have had a little more in it.

This was a fun story about love, life, and dealing with past hardship. Prudence was a child protege on the piano and was exploited by her grandmother. Once she was old enough, she fled the confines of her grandmother and chose a life of writing commercial jingles and just scraping by. Later in life, during a mid-life crisis, Prudence decides to go on a reality show for dueling pianos. Yes, it means she will have to perform for millions again, but with her circumstances, she needs to win the prize. Along the way, Prudence finds out what playing the piano truly means to her, not just being a performing monkey. I really enjoyed this story and love everything that has to do with pianos. Thank you for the eARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Its protagonist reminded me a little of Lessons In Chemistry. It was fun to explore multiple characters' points of view.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.